The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-26

ink and paper. these being supplied 10
Queen of England" A. other times she
declares that she is Ulysses s. Grant,
or the Crown Prince of Prussia. or Hobart
Pashs, the real Emperor of Turkey" She calls
the hospital "Flynn's Military Academy" and
spends much time in addressing COMMUNICATIONS
to the Encouragement in his official capacity.
She declares she has served forty-hve years IN
the army and navy without a furlough, or with
out any recognition from the present admins
tration. She claims to have had her lower limbs
and arms "spake-waltered,s and that her head
was put upon her shoulders by tho same process.
She describes '.snake-waltering' as very pain
full affair, which is inflicted upon patient al
ter she has taken an emulsion OF nervlne oy
means of levers, when she is rolled out thin,
and the fingers and toes cut apart
Here and there, while upon the lawn, an cpl
leptic patient will fall. Attendants pick up the
unfortunate one. who is carried off to one side
and placed in a comfortable position to recover
Occasionally patients are restless ana Inclined
to escape. This is prevented. with infrequene
exceptions by the watchfulness of the attend
ants who are provided with call whistles. There
are three watchmen constantly about the
grounds After they have left the wards and
are upon tine lawn, number of elderly women
who have been accustomed to smoke. are allowed
to light their pipes. This is great comfort and
satisfaction to them. few women-about
dozen-are addicted to chewing. aud one old
woman must have her snuff. Smoking and chew
ing tobaccos are among the supplies called for
by the hospital requisi.iou, the opinion of the
superintendent being that the use of tobacco by
those long accustomed TO it ID not hurtful, while
to be deprived of it would be a hardship.
After dinner, the weather being favorable,
about the same routine is observed as to going
out upon the lawn, and any bright afternoon the
long stretches OF sward under the trees may be
seen covered with patients. The men occasion
ally enjoy seeing . game of baseball played BY
the attendants, but few patients ever seem In
clined to actively take part At $50 p NJ sup
tables are cleared and all ward-work for the
day is over Women OF sufficient intelligence,
in most Of the wards. occupy themselves with
needle-work. fancy work. or SINGING MOS. OF
At or 730 P. most of the elderly people
are inclined to retire. and at o'clock the bed
bell rings, when the attendants see that each
patient is properly undressed night clothes pus
on, and the clothes worn during the day placed
upon q chair outside the room, no patient being
allowed to keep his or her clothing in the room.
By Quarter past at night all patients are In
bed and the lights turned out IN the wards.
Then the attendant seeks recreation upon the
grounds or in the public receptiou-room where
male and female employees are allowed a degree
of social intercourse such as could be permitted
in large families. At this time the night-watch-
ers go on duty, after receiving their orders from
the physicians. There are six inside watchers,
besides special nurses in the sick wards 1t ID
the duty Of these watchers to visit every patient
and see his or her condition about every thirty
eight or forty minutes This requires almost
constant walking With this is the administer
ing to the wants of those who require water or
medicine or change of bed or bedding. night
cook is on duty to provide for the twelve persons
engaged in night service-a luncheon at IL P. NJ.
and a good meal at 2 o'clock in the morning. and
also to prepare food for such patients as may re-
quire it through the night. The night usher re-
lieves the day usher in the office at p NJ and
remains constantly on duty by the telephone
which communicates with all parts of the two
departing nts, male and female and keeps a rec
ord of everything that transpires upon the halls
at ght-
The medical staff come on duty at z o'clock in
the morning. They read the reports given by
the attendants each ward for the past twenty
four hours, and make their visits. prescribing,
hearing various complaints, ETC. The repor ts in
a condensed form, are sent TO the superintendent
for his examination. Special reports come from
the dining and store rooms showing the condition
OF supplies.
The mail at the institution with It's population
of nearly 9 900 adults, is immense. This is as
sorted, inspected in the superintendents office,
and sent out to the different departments and
wards. All letters answered are returned to the
Office and there both the original and answer is
inspected and filed by the secretary. The
superintendent is able to make thorough in
spection of the entire establishment about twice
each week, though wherever accident or severe
illness occurs and special report is made he gives
special and prompt attention to the case. The
medicines are delivered upon the wards and ad-
mnistered solely by the supervisors, and only
one dose is ever sent upon a ward at time
for any one patient This requires the constant
labor of two apothecaries.